Tuning in to Kids: An Online, Group Program Tailored for Parents of Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Launched by CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, CINCINNATI · Sep 19, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical trial titled "Tuning in to Kids" is exploring a supportive online program designed for parents of young children (ages 3 to 6) who have congenital heart disease, which means they were born with heart defects. The main goal is to see how helpful and easy this program is for parents. Throughout the study, parents will fill out online surveys, participate in six weekly group sessions online, and take part in an interview. This program aims to provide parents with tools to better understand and manage their children's emotional needs while also connecting with other parents in similar situations.

To join the study, parents must have a child who is between 3 and 6 years old, has received care from the Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute within the past year, and has a specific type of heart condition that required surgery during infancy. Parents need to be able to participate in English and give consent for their involvement. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, and it's important to note that certain conditions, like severe mental illness or participation in other similar programs, may exclude some parents from joining.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Child is aged between 3 and 6 years.
• • 2. Child is receiving care from the Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute (at least one cardiology visit in the past 12 months).
• • 3. Child has congenital heart disease requiring cardiopulmonary bypass during infancy (i.e., by age 12 months).
• • 4. Parent or primary caregiver can give consent and participate in the study in English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Child has a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., autism, Trisomy 18), is not speaking, or is not functioning at the developmental level of a typical 3-year-old at the time of study recruitment.
• • 2. Child current medical status or treatment precludes study participation.
• • 3. Parent is aged under 18 years.
• • 4. Parent is currently participating in another parent-focused or parent training program (e.g., Parent-Child Interaction Therapy).
• • 5. Parent suffers from substance misuse or severe, unmanaged mental illness.
• • 6. Parent has an intellectual disability impacting capacity to independently provide informed consent.
• • 7. The child's treating physician or the study interventionalist identifies the parent or child as having a condition or circumstance that is contraindicative to engagement with the Tuning in to Kids program.